hakuoki 7 minutes in heaven

Hijikata

      “That last turn didn't go as well as mine, but I guess considering it was Saitou, it's to be expected.” Souji sighed, but did so with a sarcastic smile on his face. “Let's see, who else has a turn bound to fail? Ah, how about you Vice Commander? You were the one that gave us the okay to do this after all. It's only right you'd get a turn.”

“I suppose your right.” Refusing to lose his temper in front of a group of women, Hijikata sent a cold glance in Souji's direction but softened it considerably once he faced the girls. Like Saitou before him, he had a very hard time picking someone out, as he felt it made him seem biased and disrespectful. In a calm manner, he walked over to a tall decorative glass and filled it with chopsticks. “Whoever chooses the chopsticks that belong to me, will be my partner.” One by one, he allowed each and every participant to choose. It took a bit of time, but it was a good method. Once everyone had their chosen set, Hijikata looked straight at you. “I believe you chose mine, could I please see?”

“O-of course.” Terribly nervous and shaky, you held up a single chopstick with a thin red line around the top. 

Hijikata nodded and carefully helped you to your feet.  Though he was understandably nervous, he did an amazing job hiding it. “Souji, don't try anything while I'm away.” After his warning, he stepped into the supply room with you and slowly shut the sliding door. With an almost tired expression, Hijikata sat down. “Please, take a seat.”

You were so nervous, you'd forgotten that you were standing. “Oh, right. I'm sorry.” Trying to calm your rapidly beating heart, you scrambled to a seated position and bowed.

“There's no need for such formality. I hardly think the concept of this game could be considered formal.” Despite what he said, he was doing quite the opposite. Everything from the way he was sitting, to his facial expression was rigid and formal. He almost looked statuesque. 

“Yes sir, I'll do my best.” Unable to stop yourself, you bowed again.

A sudden crooked smile appeared on his face, which he quickly concealed by covering his mouth and coughing. “I hardly think bowing like that is necessary.” With his smile gone, he lowered his hand back down and closed his eyes. “Allow me a question. Was it your choosing to come here, or did Souji not give you an option?” The very thought of you being made to come here against your will obviously upset him.  

“I didn't come here by choice, but your officer wasn't the one that shoved me into it.” Not quite as nervous as before, you managed to smile. “My friends are much more daring than I. They thought something like this would be good for me.”

“Ah, I see. It would seem that you and I are in the same boat.” A sudden awkward silence fell over the room. Neither you,   nor Hijikata knew exactly how to break it. “I believe both of us would have been better off, if we had stood up to our “friends”. I apologize that I could not make your unfortunate situation more enjoyable.”

“Not at all. True this has been a little strange, I still found it to be fun. Or if nothing else, interesting. I'm glad they gave me a little shove.” Your smile finally blossomed. “My friends know me well, they're not often wrong about this type of thing.”

Glad he hadn't shown you as terrible a time as he thought, Hijikata returned your smile, though it wasn't nearly as ecclesiastic or noticeable as yours. “I'm glad to hear that. If your time wasn't as miserable as I had expected, then perhaps Souji's idea wasn't completely idiotic.” A quiet giggle escaped your throat, both confusing and embarrassing Hijikata. “Did I say something funny?”

You shook your head and tried to hold back your giggles. “Not exactly. It's just that you looked so terrifying and serious while we were out there. Now that we're alone, you really don't seem that scary at all.”

Realizing just how relaxed and off guard he'd become in such a short time worried him, but he didn't allow you to see that.”Something similar could be said about you. I believe your quiet, timid attitude has all but vanished.”

The door suddenly slid open, letting in both light, and Souji. “You two were so quiet, did you even talk or did you just sit here staring at each other.”

“What was said or done is none of your concern.” Eager to be out of the room, Hijikata stood up, helped you to your feet and pushed passed Souji.

“Well refusing to say what happened isn't suspicious at all.” Souji snorted as Hijikata escorted you off of the premises. “They leave the room and are immediately alone again huh. How very interesting. We might just have to pause this game for a minute or two. I have a feeling something good's about to happen.”